Phenomena Related to Specific Heat Capacity – Sea Breeze

Sea Breeze

  1. The land has a lower heat capacity than seawater. Therefore, in the day time, the temperature of the land increases faster than the sea. 
  2. Hot air (lower density) above the land rises. Cooler air from the sea flows towards land and hence produces sea breeze.

Land Breeze

  1. The land has a lower heat capacity than seawater. During night time, the temperature of the land drops faster than the sea.
  2. Hot air (lower density) above the sea rises. Cooler air from the land blows towards the sea and hence produces land breeze.

Moderate Climate

  1. Places with the presence of lakes, sea and ocean may have a more moderate climate.
  2. This is because water has a large specific heat capacity.
  3. During daytime when it is hot, the water from the lake/sea absorbs heat from the surroundings. This helps to reduce the temperature of the surroundings.
  4. During night-time, the water releases the heat absorbed during the daytime, and hence prevents the temperature from dropping too much.
  5. As such, places near a large mass of water will have a smaller range of temperatures and hence a more moderate climate condition.